Spinning Complete and ready for knitting in to something impressive, righto.

I am calling this Light fingering (sockish) and there are 535 yards. My science is never exact. With hindsight I wouldnt have combined the black but I’m sure knitting it up will bring out the other colours again.

As I’m home alone next weekend I’m taking the opportunity to Cast something on with this, impatient to see what it come out like.

So, on to pattern choices. I think it needs to be seen all the effort it took.

I have been a member of The Knit Love Club run by Socktopus since it started with the exception of 2011, which of course I regretted immediately I saw the patterns Alice had designed. So I’m back this year and will be trying the Sokkusu yarn for the first time. However, I have to confess to not finishing off my 2010 socks so I aim to be good and do those first.

Top is the first yarn for 2012s club, then we have A Verb for Keeping Warm which is for Crowley finally there is some Wollmeise for De Stijl.

You thought not finishing 2 pairs of club socks was bad, well. This is the yarn for the Knit Magazine Sock Club 2011. Some of it very nice indeed. We have Skein Queen Entwist, Wollmeise, Yarn Yard Crannog (rare now), Sparkleduck Jenny, Hipknits Merino sock yarn and Rico Superba Poems.

Plus, in the P-hop scrum in York I snaffled another Skein of Skein Queen Entwist which was from this club. This is “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”, I’m thinking I should read the book when this goes onto the needles.

I think, even though a few of the colours arent what I’d choose which is surely the point of joining in these clubs, I will use all the yarn and knit all the patterns not necessarily as intended.

So onwards and upwards, I have 4 pairs of socks on the go at the moment. None of the above, yet!

Spinning I promised and spinning I have been busy with. I have tried to do at least 20 mins each day, so the wheel has become a fixture in our Lounge. After a few test runs with sample fibre. I ferreted in the cavernous cupboard and dug out some Yarn Yard Superwash BFL which I thought might be an easy option for a not very proficient spinner.

The plan worked.

This is the first attempt.

Which I thought might ply with this. More Yarn Yard BFL.

At least I thought until I saw how these colours were spinning out.

Back into the cupboard and I unearthed some Winghams Merino bought from Woolfest in 2009 (I think!).

Whilst it will be a far better match its sooooooooooooooo boring to spin. One colour, those who know me will understand.

Hopefully they will get finished this weekend. Not quite sure what to put with the Turquoise yet. Wish I’d taken more notice to my chain plying teacher.

I am not a hat person, I have never found one that suits. Despite this I have knit 6 since Christmas, they are gratifyingly quick. Thankfully I know a few hat wearers, more keep appearing as production increases.

There was another one of these but I don’t appear to have a photograph.

This is mine.

Even someone who takes great pleasure in laughing at me in hats says it’s not too bad! Who cares when it’s below freezing. Knit in Noro Cash Island which I am glad to say is good for this pattern but is a horrible yarn for a tight knitter, how many breaks. Pattern is Wurm and I’m knitting another one already.

A few Saturdays back I was killing time prior to Hairdresser incarceration, can you tell I enjoy my visits, wandering the streets. I believe they refer to them as North Laines hereabouts! Streets to me.

Upper Gardner Street has a Market on a Saturday, street closed and stalls selling all manner of things. One caught my eye, lots of Fabric, Bindings, Ribbons and boxes and boxes of Buttons. Whilst studying the button mountain the stall holder shouted all £1 a box or card…..well you can’t refuse a bargain like that. Project in mind or not. So being in a rush I gathered together a box and 3 cards. £2 super bargain.

Also in this street I spotted a new deli which said Cafe with Rooftop views. That went on the list for future reference. Last weekend on shall we say a crisp Saturday morning we wandered in to town in search of breakfast. the walk allows this treat. Guess what, the Button man was there, stock a little depleted but we managed to find a few more boxes.

The contents.

Breakfast was yummy and I can highly recommend The Small Batch Coffee Company for the caffeine fix. Conveniently not only do they Roast in Hove they have a coffee shop in the centre of Brighton too.

I may have mentioned, appx 12 and 24 months ago, about a gathering that happens in York. It appears to be an annual event now, no complaints from me. It is a gathering of crafty people, as in Knitters, Crocheters and Spinners with a lots of other skills thrown in for good measure. Hence a dressmaking class taking place in front of me.

We knit, spin, talk (of course), eat cake, drink tea although I believe those staying overnight within the confines of the Convent (not Nuns) may have tried something more warming (see Sloe Gin and Raspberry Vodka).

On the Saturday of this weekend we have a swap of unwanted yarns, fibre, books and tools in aid of p/hop. This is the table, well there were about 4 this year just for yarn. More arrived after this shot. It is rather amusing to watch people positioning themselves and their prey before time.

There is also a Secret swap with a £10ish limit but you are also allowed to make an item or donate stash. I always worry that I have done too much/too little and this year was even worse because I knit socks for my partner, would they fit. I can honestly say that despite it being secret the lady in question gave the best reaction I have ever had to anything I have knit so regardless of anything else I had a happy glow. My gift, much eaten by now also included this lovely Brooch, made by Susan hopefully you can see the detail.

Finally, who could go to York and not visit. This is Bettys Stonegate, which is known by one of its former guises “Taylors” by me and many other York residents I suspect. Its doesn’t have the huge glass windows for posing but does have lots of real fires for you to hug on a cold day. Perfect.

One BIG problem of this sort of weekend, being inspired by all the clever people you socialise with. I have printed off 9 patterns this morning. WIP’s will be growing in number. Wouldnt miss it for the world, see you in 2013.